When to Go
Temperature is not an issue when planning a trip to sunny, dry Curaçao, since the average year-round daily high is 82°F (28°C) and constant trade winds keep humidity low. If rain falls, it’s usually in November or December. The island lies below the hurricane belt, so there’s usually no need to worry about being blown away while on vacation. If you’re planning on diving, the most popular sites are at their calmest between September and December. If partying is more your scene, Carnival (February) is a great time to visit, but book early and expect higher prices.
As with most of the Caribbean, the peak tourist season is between December and April, but this has more to do with the weather in North America and Europe than it does with the weather on Curaçao. It’s therefore best to visit outside this period, when tourists are thin on the ground and room rates tend to be 30-50% less than those charged during the busier months.
Willemstad
Willemstad is the territorial capital of the Netherlands Antilles. Located at , on the island of Curaçao, it has an estimated population of 125,000. The city consists of two quarters: Punda and Otrobanda. They are separated by the St. Anna bay, an inlet that leads into the large natural harbour called the ‘Schottegat’.
Punda was established in 1634, when the Dutch captured the island from Spain. The original name of Punda originally was de punt in Dutch. Otrobanda, which was founded in 1707, is the newer section of the city and is considered to be the cultural center of Willemstad. Its name originated from the Papiamentu otro banda, which means “the other side.” Punda and Otrobanda are connected by Queen Emma Bridge, a long pontoon bridge. The city center of Willemstad boasts an array of colonial architecture that is influenced by Dutch styles. The city center, with its peculiar architecture and beautiful harbour entry, has been made a UNESCO world heritage site.
Due to its location near the South American oilfields, its political stability and its natural deep water harbor, Willemstad became the site of an important seaport and refinery. Willemstad harbor is one of the largest oil handling ports in the Caribbean. The refinery, originally built and owned by Royal Dutch Shell in 1915[1], was sold to the Curacao government for one guilder in 1985 [2] and is now leased to PDVSA, the state owned Venezuelan oil company.
The city also is a tourist destination and contains several casinos.
Willemstad is served by Hato International Airport, which is the home base of Insel Air, Curacao’s airline.
Pabao Little League has also appeared is the last 5 Little League World Series.
MLB All-star Andruw Jones hails from Willemstad. MLB Atlanta Braves pitcher Jair Jurrjens also hails from Willemstad. MLB Seattle Mariners outfielder Wladimir Balentien hails from Willemstad as well.
Curaçao
Curaçao is an island in the southern part of the Caribbean Sea off the north coast of Venezuela. The island is the largest and most populous of the three so-called ABC islands (for Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao) of the Lesser Antilles — specifically the Leeward Antilles — and is currently part of the Netherlands Antilles, a self-governing part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Curaçao’s capital is Willemstad.
Curaçao has a land area of 444 square kilometres (171 square miles). At the 2001 Netherlands Antilles census, the population was 130,627 inhabitants, which means a population density of 294 inhabitants per square kilometre. In 2004 the population was estimated at 133,644 inhabitants. Curaçao lies outside the hurricane belt, but can still occasionally be impacted by hurricanes, such as Hurricane Felix.
